Hearing Whitebeard's words, not only were the Skypieans shocked, but even the Shandians fixed their intense gazes on the faces of the Whitebeard Pirates.
For them, if this long-lost relic from history could be proven real, it would serve as powerful evidence of their claim to this land.
The Skypieans, however, held the opposite view.
If new evidence emerged proving this divine island belonged to the Shandians, they might face the risk of Whitebeard taking sides.
During their brief interactions, they had gleaned some understanding of Whitebeard's character—an exceedingly straightforward man.
If he chose to side with the Shandians, they might truly be forced to abandon this land.
This was an outcome the Skypieans absolutely wished to avoid.
Thus, Marco and the others' next words could potentially trigger massive changes in Skypiea's situation.
"Yeah, Pops! The City of Gold really exists. Based on my rough estimate, the gold stored there is worth nearly 10 billion berries if we take it back to the New world. Even after splitting with Jake, we've got enough operational funds for over a decade. Pops, you won't need to borrow money from me for drinks anymore!"
Hearing Marco's teasing remark at the end, Whitebeard laughed and scolded him.
"Gurararara! You foolish son, that money isn't for drinking and merrymaking. Still, it's truly astonishing—a centuries-old legend actually being real. That bastard Roger really did get to see so many beautiful sights before me."
However, before Whitebeard could finish speaking, the Shandians on the other side could no longer contain themselves and spoke up.
"Hey! That's our ancestors' property. Why are you already dividing it among yourselves? And since you've seen the existence of that land, doesn't this prove that this island has always belonged to us, the Shandians?"
Wiper's youthful voice trembled with emotion.
Even though he had witnessed Whitebeard's terrifying power and felt an inescapable fear towards the towering man, when it came to the territorial rights of his people, Wiper once again chose to place his own life second.
For him, his people's land was the most important thing in this world!
In response to Wiper's outcry, Whitebeard only laughed.
"Gurarararara! You naive brat, have you forgotten one thing? I'm a Pirate! Even if I slaughter all of you and take every treasure, no one would dare condemn me—because that's what a Pirate does!"
As Whitebeard laughed, the surrounding space trembled.
The ground shattered beneath his mirth, clouds churned violently, and dozens—if not hundreds—of White Sea fish were instantly knocked unconscious.
Before this godlike power, no one could utter a single sound.
Even Wiper, who had cast aside his fear of death, lost the ability to speak in the face of such a spectacle.
But at that moment, Gan Fall and the Shandian elder stepped forward.
In unison, they addressed Whitebeard.
"Y-You… are you the man Roger spoke of—Edward Newgate?" x2
Their words and tone were identical.
After speaking, they exchanged shocked glances, as if saying.
"You knew Roger too?!" x2
Whitebeard naturally noticed their astonishment.
He chuckled and said.
"Seems like Roger played you both for fools."
"That's not true! Roger wasn't that kind of man!" x2
Their simultaneous rebuttal only amused Whitebeard further.
He took a swig of sake and replied.
"If Roger didn't know any other man named Newgate, then the one he mentioned must be me. What exactly did he tell you?"
After exchanging a glance, Gan Fall and the elder spoke in unison again.
"Roger said… if one day Newgate were to come to Sky Island, he would surely have the power to resolve the centuries-long territorial conflict between our peoples!" x2
Their aged voices echoed across the entire Sky Island.
At that moment, both the divine soldiers of Sky Island and the warriors of the Shandians were stunned by their leaders' words.
How could they place such unwavering faith in Whitebeard—based solely on the words of a man from the Blue Sea over a decade ago?
What kind of charisma did this man named Roger possess?!
Even Whitebeard himself was momentarily taken aback.
Instinctively, he turned to Jake, as if seeking answers from him.
Jake didn't let Whitebeard down at this moment.
He stepped forward and asked the two elders.
"If Roger said that, he must have left something as proof. While Whitebeard can resolve your land dispute, we also need to see what Roger and his crew left behind."
Hearing this, Gan Fall became somewhat flustered, but the elderly Shandian chieftain smiled and said.
"Before Roger departed, he left some writing on a certain ruin. Those words should serve as proof of his visit here. If you don't mind, please follow me."
With that, the old chieftain began leading everyone towards the traces Roger had left years ago.
Before following, Whitebeard said to the somewhat bewildered Gan Fall behind him.
"You should come along too. It's fine. Since we're resolving your land dispute, both sides should see these things together."
With Whitebeard's words, even though the two groups still didn't get along, no one dared to object.
Jake followed behind the group, his head lowered as he recalled the anime's plot from his memories.
If he remembered correctly, the ruins of Sky Island and the legendary City of Gold were actually locations of Poneglyphs.
The stone tablet where Roger left his mark even contained information about an Ancient Weapon.
Moreover, his primary purpose for coming here—information about the Ark Maxim—remained unfound.
While possessing the Rumble-Rumble Fruit was one thing, the Ark Maxim was another necessity he absolutely had to obtain!
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